Each year, the
monsoon – June 15 through Sept. 30 – brings the threat of major
storms and potential dangers to the otherwise arid desert
landscape. Dust, strong winds, lightning and flooding are common
side effects of the monster storms.

Capt. Scott
Walker of the Phoenix Fire Department said downed power lines are a
large threat during the monsoon because of the
thunderstorms.

“Just because
it’s not sparking at one point doesn’t mean it’s not going to
change,” he said.

Walker recommended staying far away
from any downed lines because they can jump several feet if they
become energized.

“Ahwatukee is pretty good because it’s
a newer area and most lines are underground and water is drained
properly,” Walker said. “There aren’t nearly as many problems in
Ahwatukee as there are in other parts of the
Valley.”

The dust storms
coming from the Southeast may be what affects the city most, Walker
said. Dust storms can come suddenly and reduce visibility to zero.
He recommended drivers pull well off the road and turn their lights
off so other drivers don’t think they are still moving.

Jolie McCullough is interning
this semester for the Ahwatukee Foothills News. She is a
senior at Arizona State University.